By Terry Allen
Lucille “Big Mama” Allen, the cornerstone of wisdom and faith in our family, left behind a legacy of timeless guidance. Her profound statement, “You are never too old to learn,” encapsulates a life filled with continuous growth and learning. In honor of her teachings, it’s essential to recognize that mentoring transcends age, providing invaluable support and guidance at any stage of life.
Mentoring is not confined to a specific age group; it spans generations, bridging gaps and fostering connections. Jawanza Kunjufu aptly stated, “In order to be a man, he has to see a man.” This highlights the importance of role models who reflect our cultural backgrounds and experiences. Mentees gain a deeper sense of identity and purpose by seeing and interacting with mentors who understand their unique challenges and triumphs.
Mainstream programs like the Boys and Girls Club offer tremendous support, yet there is undeniable power in faith-based and culturally specific mentoring programs. These programs resonate more deeply with our youth, fostering a stronger sense of identity and community.
By integrating cultural values and traditions into mentoring, we ensure a richer, more impactful experience for mentors and mentees.
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Faith and cultural understanding can profoundly enhance our mentoring efforts, leading to the development of strong, confident individuals who are deeply connected to their heritage. This connection is vital for personal growth and community strength.
Throughout our history, cross-generational engagement has repeatedly demonstrated its value:
- The Civil Rights Movement: Young activists like John Lewis drew strength and wisdom from older leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. This collaboration across generations was pivotal in advancing the cause of equality and justice.
- The Harlem Renaissance : The exchange of ideas between older and younger African American artists and intellectuals, such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes, fueled a cultural revolution that enriched the entire nation.
- National Association of Black Journalists: Leaders like Terry Allen worked alongside younger practitioners like Jasmyn Carter, combining their efforts to deliver the Amazon-sponsored “Making the Shift” session generating this quote: “I wanted to stop ….and tell you thank you so much for helping navigate… your advice, passion for the profession, rigorous fortitude to make sure young people like me and many others have what they need to win,” says Jasmyn Carter.
Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR
professional and founder of the charity – Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org
